An emotional Lucas Torreira has declared that he wants to no longer play football in Europe next season and will push to end his time at Arsenal this summer.
The midfielder has been deemed surplus to requirements at the Emirates following the arrival of Thomas Partey, which saw him head in the opposite direction to Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan.
However, the Uruguay international has struggled to make an impact under Diego Simeone this season, playing just 629 minutes all season across all competitions.
Earlier this week, Torreira was given special permission to return home to Fray Bentos to be by his mother's side after she was diagnosed with Covid-19.
His mother, Viviana Di Pascua, spent several days in intensive care in the city of Salto but her situation deteriorated and her tragic death was confirmed on Tuesday.
This has resulted in an emotional Torreira to announce that he wants to return home to South America and make a 'dream move' to Boca Juniors – the team he supported as a child.
‘I am trying to understand the situation. It is difficult to come to terms with it but as time passes, we will come to live with this pain,’ a tearful Torreira told ESPN Futbol Club Argentina on Thursday
‘My mother was 53 years old and died from Covid. There was an outbreak in Fray Bentos and she spent 11 days fighting but on Monday morning I received the worst news.
‘I asked Atletico for some time off. Cholo (Simeone) understood everything and they gave me a week, but I asked to stay for a little longer. On Sunday I will probably return. I have to do my duty and life must continue. Atletico have been very good to me and it’s important.
Torreira - who will have over one year left on his Gunners deal this summer - grew up in the town of Fray Bentos in his native Uruguay, situated next to the border with Argentina and only a few hours away from the capital city Buenos Aires where Boca are located.
‘It’s not a crazy decision because of my mother. I have always said that I want to play for Boca. I’m dying to play for Boca and I will always say it.
'The night my mother died, one of the first to hear the news was my agent. I don’t want to play in Europe anymore, I want to play for Boca.
‘I want to be close to my family. My father, crying, told me that it was time to play for Boca. I always liked Boca, I’m yet to experience La Bombonera, it’s something that I have deep inside me and I have to indulge myself.
‘Hopefully things become clear soon, I have to go back and focus on Atletico. I’m more than proud, I’m calm, my team-mates have supported me.
‘I have to be there, no matter how much it hurts, as there’s a month and a half of competition left. Hopefully I can end up winning La Liga.’
Recent reports suggested the midfielder will only return to Emirates Stadium if he gets games under Mikel Arteta, but with his mother's sudden passing, Torreira is intent on moving back before his deal with Arsenal is up.
‘Hopefully the teams will agree and give a year on loan,’ he added. ‘Because I don’t know how many millions I am worth but for Boca it is a lot of money.’
Torreira isn't the only Uruguayan linked with a move to Boca.
Edinson Cavani is set to quit Manchester United this summer in order to return home to South America to be closer to his family, as he enters the final years of his career as a professional footballer.
On the possibility of wearing Boca’s famous blue and gold with his fellow countryman next season, Torreira said: ‘I talk a lot with Cavani, he’s a great guy.
‘I hope I can come and share a team with him. We have a nice relationship.’
Torreira added: ‘It’s been two years since I had a good time personally.
‘Arsenal hurt me and at Atletico I don’t play as much I would like. I just want to play for Boca and I have made the decision. I want to do it for my old man. He asked me and I’m going to do it.’
